Intermittent data recorder, intermittent data recording controller, intermittent data recording method, and intermittent data recording control method

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the invention to suppress burden on a device portion and a tape recording medium occurred through recording of intermittent data. A CPU ( 7 ) controls a RAM block ( 3 ) and a VTR block ( 4 ) to record input information on a RAM ( 32 ), and transfer intermittent data included in a predetermined amount of input information recorded on the RAM ( 32 ) to a video tape ( 44 ) to be recorded while continuing recording of input information on the RAM ( 32 ) when the input information recorded on the RAM ( 32 ) reaches the predetermined amount. As described above, the recording operation of intermittent data in the VTR block ( 4 ) is suppressed to minimum and burden on the device portion and the video tape ( 44 ) in the VTR block ( 4 ) occurred through recording of intermittent data can be suppressed while performing excellent intermittent recording.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an intermittent data recording device used forintermittent recording of input information such as video signals and soon, an intermittent data recording control device, a method of recordingintermittent data and a method of controlling recording intermittentdata in a surveillance video recording device and so on.

BACKGROUND OF ART

In these years, a surveillance video recording device is used for asecurity reason in places where, for example, automatic teller machines(ATM) are placed. Such a surveillance video recording device is called atime-laps VTR as well and usually made to record video signals outputtedform a surveillance video camera on a video tape intermittently by a VTR(video tape recorder). Further, in such a surveillance video recordingdevice, a recording head is required to be rotated constantly so as toperform steady recording of intermittent data.

By the way, a surveillance video recording device of the related art asdescribed above performs recording by shifting the video tape by apredetermined amount in every one field picture being recorded whileconstantly rotating a recording head to perform recording ofintermittent data. As a result, operation of the device portion forshifting the video tape is frequently repeated while the head isrotating with constantly being in a contact with the video tape.

As described, there is a problem that burden on the device portion andthe tape itself becomes heavy since operation for tape running isfrequently repeated. Further, there is another problem that an abrasionof the head and burden on the tape itself becomes heavy since the headis rotating with constantly being in a contact with the video tape. Forexample, a total rotating time of the head reaches 8760 (365 days×24 h)hours per year provided that the device is continuously used every dayfor one year (365 days). Accordingly, head exchange is required once ayear on an average. Further, there is a problem that dropping ofmagnetic powder of the video tape occurs so that clog of the head tendsto occur since the head is rotating with constantly being in a contactwith the video tape.

Further, in the surveillance device of these days, there is such a casethat a disk recording medium is used as a main recording medium insteadof the video tape and data recorded on the disk recording medium isfurther to be backed up on the data recording medium which is used inDAT (digital audio tape recorder) and so on. However, in such asurveillance device, there is a problem that recording on the diskrecording medium has to be interrupted during the back-up, so thatsurveillance can not be continued during the time.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The invention is designed to overcome the forgoing problems. It is anobject to provide an intermittent data recording device, an intermittentdata recording control device, a method of recording intermittent dataand a method of controlling recording of intermittent data, which canlighten the burden to the device portion and the tape recording mediumoccurred through recording intermittent data.

The first intermittent data recording device of the invention comprises:first recording means for recording input information includingintermittent data which is to be recorded on the tape recording mediumon a predetermined recording medium; second recording means forrecording intermittent data included in input information on a taperecording medium; and control means for controlling the first recordingmeans and the second recording means to record input information on thefirst recording medium, and to transfer intermittent data included in apredetermined amount of input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium to be recorded on the tape recording medium, whilemaking recording of input information continued when input informationrecorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches the predeterminedamount.

The second intermittent data recording device of the inventioncomprises: first recording means for recording input informationincluding intermittent data which is to be recorded on the taperecording medium on a first recording medium; second recording means forrecording intermittent data included in the input information recordedon the first recording medium on a second recording medium; thirdrecording means for recording intermittent data recorded on the secondrecording medium on the tape recording medium; and control means forcontrolling the first recording means, the second recording means andthe third recording means to record input information on the firstrecording medium, and to transfer intermittent data included in a firstpredetermined amount of input information recorded on the firstrecording medium to be recorded on the second recording medium, whilecontinuing recording of input information when input informationrecorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predeterminedamount, and to transfer the second predetermined amount of intermittentdata recorded on the second recording medium to be recorded on the taperecording medium when the intermittent data recorded on the secondrecording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.

The first intermittent data recording control device of the inventioncomprises: input information recording means for recording inputinformation including intermittent data which is to be recorded on thetape recording medium on a predetermined recording medium; and controlmeans for controlling the input information recording means and the taperecording device to record input information on the predeterminedrecording medium, and to transfer intermittent data included in thepredetermined amount of input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium to be recorded on the tape recording medium, whilecontinuing recording of the input information when the input informationrecorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches a predeterminedamount.

The second intermittent data recording control device of the inventioncomprises: first recording means for recording input informationincluding intermittent data which is to be recorded on the taperecording medium on a first recording medium; second recording means forrecording intermittent data included in input information recorded onthe first recording medium on a second recording medium; and controlmeans for controlling the first recording means, the second recordingmeans and the tape recording device to record input information on thefirst recording medium, and to transfer intermittent data included in afirst predetermined amount of input information recorded on the firstrecording medium to be recorded on the second recording medium, whilecontinuing recording of the input information when input informationrecorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predeterminedamount, and to transfer the second predetermined amount of intermittentdata recorded on the second recording medium to be recorded on the taperecording medium when intermittent data recorded on the second recordingmedium reaches the second predetermined amount.

The first method of recording intermittent data of the invention is torecord input information including intermittent data which is to berecorded on the predetermined tape recording medium on a predeterminedrecording medium; and to transfer intermittent data included in apredetermined amount of input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium from the predetermined recording medium to the taperecording medium to record it, while continuing recording of the inputinformation when input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium reaches a predetermined amount.

The second method of recording intermittent data of the invention is torecord input information including intermittent data which is to berecorded on the predetermined tape recording medium on a first recordingmedium; to transfer intermittent data included in a first predeterminedamount of input information recorded on the first recording medium fromthe first recording medium to a second recording medium to record it,while continuing recording of input information when input informationrecorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predeterminedamount; and to transfer the second predetermined amount of intermittentrecorded on the second recording medium from the second recording mediumto a tape recording medium to record it, when intermittent data recordedon the second recording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.

The first method of controlling recording of intermittent data is torecord input information including intermittent data which is to berecorded on the predetermined tape recording medium on a predeterminedrecording medium; and to transfer intermittent data included in apredetermined amount of input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium from the predetermined recording medium to the taperecording medium to record it, while continuing recording of the inputinformation when input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium reaches a predetermined amount.

The second method of controlling recording of intermittent data is torecord input information including intermittent data which is to berecorded on the predetermined tape recording medium on a first recordingmedium; to transfer intermittent data included in a first predeterminedamount of input information recorded on the first recording medium fromthe first recording medium to a second recording medium to record it,while continuing recording of the input information when inputinformation recorded on the first recording medium reaches the firstpredetermined amount; and to transfer intermittent data included in asecond predetermined amount of input information recorded on the secondrecording medium from the second recording medium to a tape recordingmedium to record it, when input information recorded on the secondrecording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.

In the first intermittent data recording device or the first method ofrecording intermittent data of the invention, input information isrecorded on a predetermined recording medium; and intermittent dataincluded in a predetermined amount of input information recorded on thepredetermined recording medium is transferred from the predeterminedrecording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded, whilerecording of the input information is continued when input informationrecorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches a predeterminedamount.

In the second intermittent data recording device or the second method ofrecording intermittent data of the invention, input information isrecorded on a first recording medium; intermittent data included in afirst predetermined amount of input information recorded on the firstrecording medium is transferred from the first recording medium to asecond recording medium to be recorded, while recording of the inputinformation is continued when input information recorded on the firstrecording medium reaches the first predetermined amount; andintermittent data included in a second predetermined amount of inputinformation recorded on the second recording medium is transferred fromthe second recording medium to a tape recording medium to be recorded,when the input information recorded on the second recording mediumreaches the second predetermined amount.

In the first intermittent data recording device or the first method ofrecording intermittent data of the invention, input information isrecorded on a predetermined recording medium; and intermittent dataincluded in a predetermined amount of input information recorded on thepredetermined recording medium is transferred from the predeterminedrecording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded, whilerecording of input information is continued when input informationrecorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches a predeterminedamount.

In the second intermittent data recording device or the second method ofrecording intermittent data of the invention, input information isrecorded on a first recording medium; intermittent data included in afirst predetermined amount of input information recorded on the firstrecording medium is transferred from the first recording medium to asecond recording medium to be recorded, while recording of inputinformation is continued when input information recorded on the firstrecording medium reaches the first predetermined amount; and a secondpredetermined amount of intermittent data recorded on the secondrecording medium is transferred from the second recording medium to atape recording medium to be recorded, when the intermittent datarecorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predeterminedamount.

Other objects, characters and advantages of the invention will be madeevident in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an intermittentdata recording device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are explanatory drawings showing the flowof data until input information is recorded on a video tape asintermittent data and the data structure in the intermittent datarecording device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a main operation of the intermittent datarecording device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory drawings showing timing of theoperation of the intermittent data recording device according to thefirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an intermittentrecording device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration of an intermittent datarecording device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D are explanatory drawings showingthe flow of data until input information is recorded on a video tape asintermittent data and the data structure in the intermittent datarecording device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a main operation of the intermittent datarecording device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are explanatory drawings showing timing ofthe operation of the intermittent data recording device according to thethird embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an intermittentdata recording device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with referenceto the drawings in the followings.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

First, a first embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 1 isa block diagram showing a configuration of an intermittent datarecording device according to the first embodiment of the invention. Theintermittent data recording device according the embodiment is used as,for example, a surveillance video recording device, and inputinformation includes at least picture data from a surveillance videocamera and so on. In addition, it includes audio data or additional data(for example, the transaction number, the card number, date, time and soon in an automatic teller machine (ATM)). However, it is described byreferring only to picture data among input information in the followingsso as to simplify the description. Further, in the intermittent datarecording device according to the embodiment, data which is recorded inthe end is input information being made to be intermittent data. Databeing made to be intermittent data means intermittent data which isintermittent in terms of time. Further, the description in thefollowings includes the description of the configuration of theintermittent data recording control device according to the embodiment.

The intermittent data recording device according to the embodimentcomprises an A/D converter 1 which performs analog-digital conversion ofanalog input picture data D_(IN) from a video camera and so on, ancompression processing portion 2 which compresses output data from theA/D converter 1, a RAM (random access memory) block 3 for temporarilyrecording picture data compressed by the compression processing portion2, a VTR block 4 for recording intermittent data included in the picturedata compressed by the compression processing portion 2, which is to berecorded in the end, an inside bus 5 including a data bus and a controlbus which mutually connect the compression processing portion 2, the RAMblock 3 and the VTR block 4, and a bus control portion 6 which controlsthe inside bus 5. Further, the RAM block 3 corresponds to the firstrecording means of the first intermittent data recording device and theinput information recording means of the first intermittent datarecording control device of the invention. Further, the compressionprocessing portion 2 corresponds to the compressing means of the firstintermittent data recording device of the invention. Moreover, the VTRblock 4 corresponds to the second recording means of the firstintermittent data recording device of the invention.

The intermittent data recording device is, further, connected to the buscontrol portion 6 and comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 7 whichcontrols the whole portion of the intermittent data recording device, aninput device 8 such as a key board and so on which is connected to theCPU 7 and a display device 9 such as CRT (cathode-ray tube) which isconnected to the CPU 7. Further, the CPU 7 corresponds to the controlmeans of the intermittent data recording device and the firstintermittent data recording control device of the invention.

Further, in the followings, the input picture data D_(IN) andcorresponding various state of data before being recorded arecollectively called input information as well.

The compression processing portion 2 comprises a blocking circuit 21which divides the inputted picture data to a predetermined data block, ashuffling circuit 22 replacing the data block divided by the blockingcircuit 21 to the order of the predetermined shuffling pattern, a DCTcircuit 23 which performs DCT (discrete cosine transformation)processing on output data from the shuffling circuit 22, a quantizationcircuit 24 which quantizes output data from the DCT circuit 23 by thequantum characteristic based on the quantization table, a dataestimating portion 25 which changes the quantization table of thequantization circuit 24 by estimating the amount of data fromcoefficient of the DCT after the DCT processing in the DCT circuit 23,and a variable encryption circuit 26 which outputs output data to theinside bus 5 by variable-encrypting output data of the quantizationcircuit 24. Further, the compression processing portion 2 may have aconfiguration without, for example, the data estimating portion 25.Further, the configuration of the compression processing portion 2 isnot limited to the method shown in figure but other method may be used.

The RAM block 3 comprises a RAM 32 as a predetermined recording mediumwhich records input information including intermittent data and a memorycontroller 31 which performs control of the operation of writing datafrom the inside bus 5 to the RAM 32, and of the operation of reading outdata recorded on the RAM 32 and outputting it to the inside bus 5, whilebeing connected to the RAM 32 and the inside bus 5. The RAM block 3(memory controller 31), under the control of the CPU 7, records inputinformation on the RAM 32 according to the order of input operationwhile reading out information recorded on the RAM 32 and transferring itto the VTR block 4 through the inside bus 5 when input informationrecorded on the RAM 32 reaches the predetermined amount. Further, in theRAM block 3, rate of reading data is made sufficiently faster than thatof writing data to the RAM 32 so that transferring data from the RAMblock 3 to the VTR 4 can be started when input information recorded onthe RAM 32 reaches the recording capacitance of the RAM 32. Accordingly,the predetermined amount may be, basically, same as the recordingcapacitance of the RAM 32. However, in practice, it is preferable tohave some space between the operation of recording and reproducing datain the RAM block 3. Accordingly, it is preferable to set thepredetermined amount smaller than the recording capacitance of the RAM32.

The RAM 32 is, at least on the appearance, made to be able to performthe operation of recording and reproducing simultaneously. For example,the simultaneous recording and reproducing can be performed perfectly byusing a dual-port RAM having two ports for inputting/outputting data.Further, in a case where a regular RAM having only one port forinputting/outputting is used in the RAM 32, the operation of recordingand reproducing can be simultaneously performed at least on theappearance by, for example, performing the operation of recording andreproducing by time-division using a time slot.

The VTR block 4 is the portion which records intermittent datatransferred form the RAM 32 on a video tape 44 as the tape recordingmedium while reproducing intermittent data from the video tape 44. TheVTR block 4 comprises an ECC (error correcting code) processing portion41 connected to the inside bus 5, a channel coding portion 42 connectedto the ECC processing portion 41, a recording-reproducing portion 43connected to the channel coding portion 42 and a device portionincluding running portion of the video tape 44 and the drive portion ofthe rotating drum. The recording-reproducing portion 43 includes arecording head, reproducing head and an erasing head.

The VTR block 4 is made to add the ECC to intermittent data from theinside bus 5 by the ECC processing portion 41, to apply channel codingby the channel coding portion 42 for converting it to a proper form forrecording and to record it on the video tape 44 by a recording head ofthe recording-reproducing portion 43 during the recording operation.

Further, the VTR block 4 is made to reproduce data from the video tape44 by the reproducing head of the recording-reproducing portion 43, toapply channel coding to the data by the channel coding portion 42, toperform error detection and error correction by the ECC processingportion 41 and to output it to the inside bus 5 during the reproducingoperation.

The CPU 7 is made to control the RAM block 3 as the first recordingmedium and the input information recording medium, and the VTR block 4as the second recording medium to record input information on the RAM 32as the predetermined recording medium. Further, it is made to transferintermittent data included in the predetermined amount of inputinformation recorded on the RAM 32 to be recorded on the video tape 44as the tape recording medium while continuing recording of inputinformation on the RAM 32 when input information recorded on the RAM 32reaches the predetermined amount.

Here, with reference to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, in the embodiment, flow ofthe input picture data D_(IN) inputted in the device until it isrecorded on the video tape 44 as intermittent data will be describedalong with its data structure. FIG. 2A shows the data structure of avideo frame of the input picture data D_(IN) in real time. Further, FIG.2B shows the data structure of the RAM 32 while FIG. 2C shows the datastructure of the video tape 44. Further, one measurement of the blockelements represents one frame in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C.

In the embodiment, the input picture data D_(IN) as input informationinputted in the device is continuous data in terms of time (FIG. 2A).The continuous input picture data D_(IN) in terms of time is, forexample, made to be intermittent data before being recorded on the RAM32 or while being recorded (FIG. 2B). For example, when it is made to beintermittent data while being recorded, the procedure is performed bythe CPU 7 controlling the RAM block 3 to record picture data inputted inthe RAM block 3 on the RAM 32 intermittently. In the examples shown inFIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, one frame of data among three frames of the inputpicture data D_(IN) is intermittently recorded on the RAM 32. Further,when it is made to be intermittent data before recording, the CPU 7controls the control portion 6 to make picture data intermittent to beinputted in the RAM 32.

In the embodiment, when picture data being made to be intermittent dataas described is recorded on the RAM 32 to the predetermined amount (sixframes of data in examples of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C), the predeterminedamount of intermittent data recorded on the RAM 32 is transferred to theVTR block 40 and recorded on the video tape 44 (FIG. 2C). Further,recording picture data on the RAM 32 is continued while transferringintermittent data. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the RAM block 3operates continuously so that picture data being made to be intermittentdata is continuously recorded in terms of time. On the other hand, theRAM block 3 operates intermittently so that the predetermined amount ofintermittent data is intermittently recorded in terms of time.

Further, data which is not yet being made to be intermittent data may berecorded on the RAM 32 first, and it may be made to be intermittent datawhen transferring data from the RAM 32 to the video tape 44. In such acase, for example, the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to reproducepicture data from intermittent address.

Next, operation of the intermittent data recording device according tothe embodiment will be described. Further, the following descriptionincludes the description of method of recording the intermittent dataand the method of controlling recording the intermittent data accordingto the embodiment.

First, the main operation of the intermittent data recording device ofthe embodiment will be described according to the flow chart of FIG. 3while referring to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,when starting the operation is indicated and input picture data D_(IN)is recorded as input information from outside of the device, the CPU 7controls the RAM block 3 through the bus control portion 6 to startrecording input information from outside the device on the RAM 32 (stepS101). In the recording operation of the RAM block 3 at this time, inputpicture data D_(IN) is A/D converted by an A/D converter 1, compressedby a compressing process portion 2, transferred to the RAM block 3through the inside bus 5 and recorded on the RAM 32 by the RAM block 3.Further, data recorded on the RAM 32 at this time may be continuous datawhich has not been made intermittent (intermittent data which is to berecorded on the video tape 44 in the end) or data which has been made tobe intermittent data at the time of recording or, before recording it onthe RAM 32.

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether the data recorded on the RAM 32 hasreached the predetermined amount or not (step S102). Here, the judgingoperation is repeated when the recorded data has not reached thepredetermined amount (step S102: N).

On the other hand, when the recorded data has reached the predeterminedamount (step S102: Y), the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to startreproducing operation of the predetermined amount of data recorded onthe RAM block 3 (step S103) and transferring operation of reproduceddata to the VTR block 4 (step S104) while continuing data recording onthe RAM 32. At this time, transferring data from the RAM block 3 to theVTR block 4 is performed through the inside bus 5. Further, in such acase where the data recorded on the RAM 32 in the step S101 iscontinuous data, which has not been made to be intermittent data, theCPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to make data reproduced from the RAM 32to be intermittent data. Further, when data recorded on the RAM 32 inthe step S101 is data which is already made to be intermittent, theintermittent process of data is not required.

When transferring data from the RAM block 3 to the VTR block 4 in thestep 104 is started, the CPU 7 controls the VTR block 4 through the buscontrol portion 6 to start recording operation of the intermittent datatransferred from the RAM block 3 on the video tape 44 (step S105).

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether reproduction of the predetermined amountof data recorded in the RAM block 3 is perfectly completed or not (stepS106). If it is not completed (N), the judging operation is repeated. Ifit is completed (step s106: Y), the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 tostop the reproducing operation of data recorded on the RAM 32 (stepS107) and transferring operation of intermittent data to the VTR block 4(step S108). Finally, the CPU 7 controls the VTR block 4 to stop therecording operation of intermittent data transferred from the RAM block3 on the video tape 44 (step S109), and the process goes back to thestep S101.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the operation timing of the VTR block 4 and theRAM block 3 in a case where the recording operation of intermittent datais performed according to the operation shown in FIG. 3. In such a case,in the RAM block 3, as shown in FIG. 4A, when recorded data reaches thepredetermined amount, the reproducing operation of the RAM 32 is startedso that the recorded information is outputted to the VTR block 4 withoutstopping recording operation of input information while the recordingoperation of input information on the RAM 32 is continuously performed.Further, when the predetermined amount of data recorded on the RAM 32 iscompletely reproduced, the reproduction operation of the RAM 32finishes. On the other hand, in the VTR block 4, as shown in FIG. 4B,the recording operation of intermittent data outputted from the RAMblock 3 is started at the same time of starting the reproducingoperation in the RAM block 3, and the recording operation finishes whenthe reproducing operation finishes.

As described above, according to the intermittent data recording deviceof the embodiment, the recording operation of intermittent data in theVTR block 4 can be suppressed to minimum since the CPU 7 is made tocontrol the RAM block 3 and the VTR block 4 to record input informationon the RAM 32, and to transfer intermittent data included in thepredetermined amount of the input information recorded on the RAM 32 tothe video tape 44 as a tape recording medium to be recorded when theinput information recorded on the RAM 32 reaches the predeterminedamount, while continuing recording of the input information on the RAM32. For example, the recording head for performing the intermittentrecording is not required to be rotated constantly, unlike the relatedart, so that the number of repeating of the device operation for runningthe video tape 44 can be decreased as well. As a result, burden on thedevice portion and the video tape 44 resulted from repeating theoperation of running the tape can be lightened.

Further, according to the embodiment, the recording head does not rotatewith constantly being in a contact with the video tape 44 in the VTRblock 4 like the related art, so that the unnecessary using time of thehead can be decreased by limiting rotation of the head only whenactually recording intermittent data. As a result, wear of the head andburden on the tape itself can be suppressed so that the life of the headcan be prolonged before it needs to be exchanged. For example, whenintermittent recording of one field of picture data per second isperformed, real time becomes one hour provided that time of performingpicture recording by actually rotating the head is one minute. As aresult, using time of the head becomes technically one sixtieth comparedto the device of the related art.

Further, a probability of the head being clogged can be decreased sincedropping of the magnetic powder of the video tape 44, which is resultedfrom the fact that the head is rotating by constantly having a contactwith the video tape 44, is suppressed. Further, in the embodiment, therecording operation of data in the RAM block 3 is constantly performedso that the required intermittent data can be completely transferred andrecorded on the VTR block 4. As a result, the problem that recordingoperation on the disk recording medium has to be interrupted duringback-up operation which occurred in such a device using a disk recordingmedium as a main recording medium instead of using the video tape likethe related art, does not occur. As described, according to theembodiment, burden to the device portion and the video tape 44 in theVTR block4 occurred through recording intermittent data can be decreasedwhile performing the excellent intermittent recording.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In thefirst embodiment described above, the input picture data D_(IN) with acontinuous data structure in terms of time is inputted in the device asinput information, and the inputted input picture data D_(IN) is made tobe intermittent and recorded in the device. However, in the embodiment,the input picture data D_(IN) inputted to the device is intermittentdata in terms of time.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the intermittentdata recording device according to the embodiment of the invention.Further, like numerals are adopted to the configurations identical tothose of the intermittent data recording device according to the firstembodiment and the description will be omitted.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,the intermittent input picture data D_(IN) from an outside input device100 is made to be inputted to a blocking circuit 21 of the compressionprocessing portion 2 as input information. The outside input device 100comprises a plurality of video cameras 101 for filming the areas whichis to be under surveillance, a plurality of A/D converters 102 for A/Dconverting a plurality of image signals outputted from a plurality ofthe video cameras 101, and a multiplexer 103 which selectively picks upoutput data from the A/D converter in a predetermined order and outputsintermittent input picture data D_(IN).

The multiprexer 103 comprises a plurality of input terminals 103 a towhich output signals of each A/D converter corresponding to a pluralityof the video cameras 101 are inputted, an input terminal 103 b to whichno output signals from the video cameras 101 are outputted, and outputterminals 103 c which are selectively connected to the input terminals103 a and the input terminal 103 b. In the multiplexer 103, the inputterminal connected to the output terminal 103 c is switched in apredetermined timing so that the intermittent input picture data D_(IN)including the output signals of the A/D converter 102 is made to beoutputted from the output terminal 103 c.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,the intermittent input picture data D_(IN) is, like the intermittentdata recording device according to the first embodiment, compressed inthe compression processing portion 2 before being transferred to the RAMblock 3 through the inside bus 5 and recorded on the RAM 32 by the RAMblock 3. Further, the operation after the recording data in the RAMblock 3 is identical to that of the first embodiment as described above.

Further, other configurations, operations and effects of the embodimentis identical to those of the first embodiment.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

First, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. In thefirst embodiment described above, input picture data D_(IN) istemporarily recorded in the RAM block 3 before being transferreddirectly from the RAM block 3 to the VTR block 4. However, in theembodiment, another data recording block is provided in the datatransferring process between the RAM block 3 and the VTR block 4 inorder to enable better recording of intermittent data.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the intermittentdata recording device according to the third embodiment of theinvention. Further, like numerals are adopted to the configurationsidentical to those of the intermittent data recording device of thefirst embodiment, and the description will be omitted. The intermittentdata recording device according to the embodiment comprises a hard diskdrive (called HDD in the followings) block 110 for temporarily recordingintermittent data included in input information recorded on the RAM 32in addition to the composing element shown in FIG. 1. Further, the RAMblock 3 of the embodiment corresponds to the first recording means ofthe second intermittent data recording device, the second intermittentdata recording control device, the second method of recordingintermittent data and the second method of controlling recording ofintermittent data of the invention. Further, the RAM 32 of theembodiment corresponds to the first recording medium of the secondintermittent data recording device, the second intermittent datarecording control device, the second intermittent data recording methodand the second data recording control method of the invention. Further,the VTR block 4 of the embodiment corresponds to the third recordingmeans in the second intermittent data recording device of the invention.

The HDD block 110 is formed including a hard disk. It comprises an HDD113 which temporarily records intermittent data included in inputinformation recorded on the RAM 32, a direct memory access (called DMAin the followings) controller 112 connected to the HDD 113, whichperforms control of recording information on the HDD 113 and reproducinginformation recorded on the HDD, and an FIFO (FIRST IN, FIRST OUT)memory 111 connected to the DMA controller 112 and the inside bus 5.Further, the HDD block 110 corresponds to the second recording means ofthe intermittent data recording device and the second intermittent datarecording control device of the invention. Further, the hard disk in theHDD 113 corresponds to the second recording medium of the secondintermittent data recording device, the second intermittent datarecording control device, the second method of recording intermittentdata and the second method of controlling recording of intermittent dataof the invention.

In the embodiment, the RAM block (memory controller 31) 3 is, under thecontrol of the CPU 7, made to record input information in the order asit is inputted while the information recorded on the RAM 32 is read outto be transferred to the HDD block 110 through the inside bus 5 when theinput information recorded on the RAM 32 reaches the predeterminedamount (first predetermined amount). Further, like the first embodiment,in the RAM block 3, the rate of reading-out data is made much fasterthan that of writing data to the RAM 32. As a result, transferring datafrom the RAM block 3 to the HDD block 110 can be started when inputinformation recorded on the RAM 32 reaches the recording capacitance ofthe RAM 32. Accordingly, the predetermined amount (first predeterminedamount) mentioned above may basically be the same as the recordingcapacitance of the RAM 32. However, in practice, it is preferable tohave some space between the operation of recording and reproducing datain the RAM block 3. Accordingly, it is preferable to set theabove-mentioned predetermined amount smaller than the recordingcapacitance of the RAM 32.

The RAM 32 is, at least on the appearance, made to perform the operationof recording and reproducing simultaneously. For example, thesimultaneous recording and reproducing can be perfectly performed byusing a dual-port RAM having two ports for inputting/outputting data inthe RAM 32. Further, in a case where a regular RAM having only one portfor inputting/outputting is used in the RAM 32, the operation ofrecording and reproducing can be simultaneously performed at least onthe appearance by, for example, performing the operation of recordingand reproducing by time-division using a time slot.

Further, in the embodiment, the HDD block 110 (DAM controller 112) is,under the control of the CPU 7, made to temporarily record intermittentdata included in the input information recorded on the RAM 32 on thehard disk in the HDD 113 while the information recorded on the hard diskis read out to be transferred to the VTR block 4 through the inside bus5 when the intermittent data recorded on the hard disk reaches thepredetermined amount (second predetermined amount). Further, in theembodiment, the operation of recording and reproducing in the HDD blockis performed by time-division. Accordingly, the above-mentionedpredetermined amount (second predetermined amount) is a data amountwhich enables to transfer intermittent data recorded on the hard disk tothe VTR block 4 and record the transferred data on the video tape 44between the operation of recording intermittent data transferred fromthe RAM block 3. For example, the predetermined amount can berepresented as the predetermined amount A in a formula (1) in thefollowing provided that time in which recording operation is notperformed in the HDD block 110 is T (see FIG. 9), and the rate oftransferring data from the HDD block 110 to the VTR block 4 is Vd.Further, the predetermined amount does not become larger than therecording capacitance of the hard disk in the HDD 113 naturally.

A≦T×Vd  (1)

In the embodiment, the VTR block 4 is the portion for recordingintermittent data transferred from the hard disk in the HDD 113 on thevideo tape 44 as a tape recording medium while reproducing intermittentdata from the video tape 44.

In the embodiment, the CPU 7 as control means controls the RAM block 3,the VTR block 4 and the HDD block 110 to record input information on theRAM 32 as the first recording medium, to transfer intermittent dataincluded in the first predetermined amount of input information recordedon the RAM 32 to be recorded on the HDD 113 while continuing recordingof input information on the RAM 32 when input information recorded onthe RAM 32 reaches the first predetermined amount, and to transfer thesecond predetermined amount of intermittent data recorded on the HDD 113to be recorded on the video tape 44 when intermittent data recorded onthe HDD 113 reaches the second predetermined amount.

Here, the flow of input picture data D_(IN) inputted in the device,until it is recorded on the video tape 44 as intermittent data in theembodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D alongwith its data structure. Further, FIG. 7A shows a data structure of avideo frame of the input picture data D_(IN) in real time while FIG. 7Bshows a data structure in the RAM 32. Further, FIG. 7C shows a datastructure in the hard disk in the HDD 113 while FIG. 7D shows a datastructure in the video tape 44.

In the embodiment, the input picture data D_(IN) as input informationinputted in the device is continuous data (FIG. 7A) in terms of timelike the first embodiment described above. For example, when it is madeto be intermittent data while being recorded, the CPU 7 controls the RAMblock 3 in order to intermittently record picture data inputted in theRAM block 3 to the RAM 32. In an example shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D,one frame of data among three frames of input picture data D_(IN) isintermittently recorded. Further, when it is made to be intermittentdata before being recorded, the CPU 7 controls the bus control portion 6to make picture data intermittent, which is to be inputted in the RAMblock 3.

Further, data which has not been made intermittent may be madeintermittent when transferring data from the RAM 32 to the HDD 113 afterrecording data on the RAM 32. In such a case, for example, the CPU 7controls the HDD block 110 to reproduce picture data from theintermittent address when reproducing data from the RAM 32.

Further, when picture data, which is made to be intermittent data, isrecorded on the RAM 32 to the predetermined amount (first predeterminedamount, six frames of data in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D), the predeterminedamount of the intermittent data recorded on the RAM 32 is transferred tothe HDD block 110 and recorded on the hard disk in the HDD 113 (FIG.7C). Further, recording picture data on the RAM 32 is continued whiletransferring intermittent data. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the RAMblock 3 operates continuously so that picture data being made to beintermittent data is continuously recorded on the RAM 32 in terms oftime.

Further, when picture data, which is made to be intermittent data, isrecorded on the hard disk in the HDD 113 to the predetermined amount(second predetermined amount, twelve frames of data in FIG. 7A to FIG.7D), the predetermined amount of intermittent data recorded on the harddisk in the HDD 113 is transferred to the VTR block 40 and recorded onthe video tape 44 (FIG. 7D). Further, recording and reproducing ofintermittent data in the HDD 113 are performed by time-division.

Next, operation of the intermittent data recording device according tothe embodiment will be described. Further, the description in thefollowing includes the method of recording intermittent data and themethod of controlling recording of intermittent data of the invention.

First, the main operation of the intermittent data recording device ofthe embodiment will be described according to the flow chart shown inFIG. 8 by referring to the block diagram shown in FIG. 6.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 through the bus control portion 6 tostart recording input information from outside the device (step S201)when starting the operation is indicated and the input picture dataD_(IN) from outside the device is inputted as input information. In therecording operation in the RAM block 3, the input picture data D_(IN) isA/D converted by the A/D converter 1, compressed by the compressionprocessing portion 2, transferred to the RAM block 3 through the insidebus 5 and recorded on the RAM 32 by the RAM block 3. Further, datarecorded on the RAM 32 at this time may be continuous data which is notmade to be intermittent data (intermittent data which is to be recordedon the video tape 44 in the end), or data which is made to beintermittent data before or during recording data on the RAM 32 as shownin FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether data recorded on the RAM 32 has reachedthe predetermined amount (first predetermined amount) or not (stepS202). At this time, the judging operation is repeated when the recordeddata has not reached the predetermined amount (step S202: N).

On the other hand, when the recorded data reaches the predeterminedamount (step S202: Y), the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to start thereproducing operation of the predetermined amount of data recorded inthe RAM block 3 (step S203) while making the data-recording on the RAM32 continued, and start the transferring operation of the reproduceddata to the HDD block 110 (step S204). At this time, transferring datafrom the RAM block 3 to the HDD block 110 is performed through theinside bus 5. Further, in a case where data recorded on the RAM 32 inthe step S201 is continuous data which is not made to be intermittentdata, the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to make data reproduced fromthe RAM 32 be intermittent data. Further, in a case where data recordedon the RAM 32 in the step S201 is data which has been already made to beintermittent, the process of making data intermittent is not required tobe performed.

When transferring data from the RAM block 3 to the HDD block 110 startsin the step S204, the CPU 7 controls the HDD block 110 through the buscontrol portion 6 to start the recording operation of intermittent datatransferred from the RAM block 3 on the HDD 113 (step S205). In therecording operation in the HDD block 110 at this time, the intermittentdata from the RAM block 3 is transferred to the HDD block 110 throughthe inside bus 5, given to the DMA controller 112 through the FIFOmemory 111, and recorded on the hard disk in the HDD 113 by the DMAcontroller 112.

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether reproduction of the predetermined amountof data recorded in the RAM block 3 is completed or not (step S206).When it is not completed (N), the judging operation is repeated. When itis completed (step S206: Y), the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3 to stopthe reproducing operation of data recorded on the RAM 32 (step S207)while finishing transferring intermittent data to the HDD block 110(step S208). Further, the CPU 7 controls the HDD block 110 to stop therecording operation of intermittent data transferred from the RAM block3 on the hard disk in the HDD 113 (step S209).

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether intermittent data recorded on the harddisk in the HDD 113 has reached the predetermined amount (secondpredetermined amount) or not (step S210). At this time, when therecorded intermittent data has not reached the predetermined amount(step S210: N), the process returns to the step S201.

On the other hand, when the recorded data has reached the predeterminedamount (step S210: Y), the CPU 7 controls the HDD block 110 to start thereproducing operation of the predetermined amount of data recorded onthe HDD block 110 (step S211) while starting the transferring operationof the reproduced data to the VTR block 4 (step S212). At this time,transferring data from the HDD block 110 to the VTR block 4 is performedthrough the inside bus 5.

When transferring data from the HDD block 110 to the VTR block 4 isstarted in the step S212, the CPU 7 controls the VTR block 4 to startthe recording operation of intermittent data transferred from the HDDblock 110 on the video tape 44 (step S213).

Further, in the embodiment, the operation of recording and reproducingintermittent data in the HDD block 110 is performed by time-division.Accordingly, the predetermined amount (second predetermined amount) inthe step 210 is the amount which enables to transfer intermittent datarecorded on the hard disk and records it on the video tape 44 in the VTRblock 4, between the operation of recording intermittent datatransferred from the RAM block 3 on the hard disk in the HDD 113.

Next, the CPU 7 judges whether reproduction of the predetermined amountof data recorded on the HDD block 110 is completed or not (step S214).When it is not completed (N), the judging operation is repeated. When itis completed (step S214: Y), the CPU 7 controls the HDD block 110 tostop the reproducing operation of intermittent data recorded on the harddisk in the HDD 113 (step S215) while finishing transferringintermittent data to the VTR block 4 (step S216). Finally, the CPU 7controls the VTR block 4 to stop the recording operation of intermittentdata transferred from the HDD block 110 on the video tape 44 (step S217)and the process returns to the step S201.

FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C show the operation timing of the RAM block 3, the VTRblock 4 and the HDD block 110 when the recording operation ofintermittent data is performed according to the operation shown in FIG.8. In such a case, in the RAM block 3, as shown in FIG. 9A, when therecorded data reaches the predetermined amount (first predeterminedamount) while continuously performing the recording operation of inputinformation, the reproducing operation of the recorded information onthe HDD block 110 is started without interrupting the recordingoperation of input information. Further, the reproducing operationfinishes when reproduction of the predetermined amount of data which hasbeen recorded is completed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, the recording operation ofintermittent data is started at the same time as the reproducingoperation in the RAM block 3 is started, and the recording operationfinishes when the reproducing operation in the RAM block 3 finishes.Further, in such a case, in the HDD block 110, the reproducing operationof intermittent data recorded on itself to the VTR block 4 is startedwhen the recorded intermittent data reaches the predetermined amount(second predetermined amount), between the operation of recordingintermittent data transferred from the RAM block 3. Further, thereproducing operation finishes when the predetermined amount of databeing recorded is completely reproduced.

Further, in the VTR block 4, as shown in FIG. 9C, the recordingoperation of intermittent data is started at the same time as thereproducing operation in the HDD block 110 is started, and the recordingoperation finishes when the reproducing operation in the HDD block 110finishes.

According to the embodiment as described above, the hard disk in the HDD113, in addition to using the RAM 32, is used as a recording medium fortemporarily recording intermittent data which is to be recorded on thevideo tape 44. Further, the CPU 7 controls the RAM block 3, the VTRblock 4 and the HDD block 110 to record input information on the RAM 32,transfer intermittent data included in the first predetermined amount ofinput information recorded on the RAM 32 to be recorded on the HDD 113while continuing recording of input information on the RAM 32 when inputinformation reaches the first predetermined amount, and transfer thesecond predetermined amount of intermittent data recorded on the HDD 113to be recorded on the video tape 44 when intermittent data recorded onthe HDD 113 reaches the second predetermined amount. As a result, a vastamount of information can be temporarily recorded. Accordingly, thenumber of recording information on the video tape 44 is decreased andthe device with less burden on the VTR block 4 can be achieved.

Further, according to the embodiment, recording a vast amount ofinformation can be achieved with a low cost since the RAM 32 and the HDD113 are used together. For example, when trying to record a vast amountof information like the embodiment in a case of using the same structure(structure which does not comprise HDD block 110) as that of the firstembodiment, the RAM 32 with a large capacitance, which is costly, isrequired and cost is largely increased. Further, in the configurationshown in FIG. 6, using only the HDD by making the configuration of theRAM block 3 same as the HDD block 110 can be considered. However, insuch a case, simultaneous recording and reproducing is required to beperformed to the HDD which is used instead of the RAM block 3 so thatthe HDD with high performance is required because of the limitation inthe data transferring rate of recording and reproducing. For example,provided that the data transferring rate in the VTR block 4 is 25 Mbps,the HDD with high performance having the data transferring rate of about50 Mbps is required so that cost is largely increased. In contrast, theembodiment, as described above, can implement it with lower cost sincethe RAM 32 and the HDD 113 are used together.

Further, other configurations, operations and effects are identical tothose of the first embodiment.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. In thethird embodiment described above, the input picture data D_(IN) with acontinuous data structure in terms of time is inputted in the device asinput information and the inputted input picture data D_(IN) is made tobe intermittent data in the device to be recorded. However, in theembodiment, the input picture data D_(IN) which is to be inputted to thedevice is intermittent data in terms of time.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the intermittentdata recording device according to the embodiment. Further, likenumerals are adopted to the configurations identical to those of theintermittent data recording device according to the second and thirdembodiments and the description will be omitted.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,the intermittent input picture data D_(IN) as input information from theoutside input device 100 is made to be inputted in the blocking circuit21 of the compression processing portion 2. The outside input device 100has the configuration identical to that of the outside input device 100used in the intermittent data recording device (FIG. 5) according to thesecond embodiment.

In the intermittent data recording device according to the embodiment,the intermittent input picture data D_(IN) inputted from theabove-mentioned outside input device is, like the intermittent datarecording device according to the third embodiment, transferred to theRAM block 3 through the inside bus 5 and recorded on the RAM 32 afterbeing compressed in the compression processing portion 2. Further, theoperation after recording data on the RAM block 3 is identical to thatof the third embodiment.

Further, other configurations, operations and effects are identical tothose of the third embodiment.

Further, the invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodimentsbut various modification can be applicable. For example, the inventionis not limited to a case where the video signals are compressed to berecorded but can be applied to a case where they are recorded withoutbeing compressed. Further, the invention can be applied to devices forother use such as a recording device used for various kinds ofobservation and so on, in addition to the video recording device forsurveillance.

As described above, in the first intermittent data recording device, thefirst intermittent data recording control device, the first intermittentdata recording method and the first intermittent data recording controlmethod of the invention, input information is recorded on apredetermined recording medium, and intermittent data included in thepredetermined amount of input information recorded on the predeterminedrecording medium is transferred to the tape recording medium to berecorded while continuing recording of input information when inputinformation recorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches thepredetermined amount. As a result, the number of the recording operationperformed to the tape recording medium can be suppressed to minimum.Accordingly burden on the device portion and the tape recording mediumoccurred through recording of intermittent data can be suppressed.

Further, in the second intermittent data recording device, the secondintermittent data recording control device, the second intermittent datarecording method and the second intermittent data recording controlmethod of the invention, input information is recorded on the firstrecording medium, and intermittent data included in the firstpredetermined amount of input information recorded on the firstrecording medium is transferred to the second recording medium to berecorded while continuing recording of input information when inputinformation recorded on the first recording medium reaches the firstpredetermined amount. Further, the second predetermined amount ofintermittent data recorded on the second recording medium is transferredto be recorded on the tape recording medium when intermittent datarecorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predeterminedamount. As a result, the number of the recording operation performed onthe tape recording medium can be suppressed to minimum. Accordinglyburden to the device portion and the tape recording medium occurredthrough recording of intermittent data can be suppressed while enablingtemporary recording of a vast amount of information.

With the description above, it is obvious that various modifications ofthe invention can be applicable. Accordingly, within a scope of claimsin the followings, the invention can be implemented in other embodimentsin addition to the embodiments described above in detail.

What is claimed is:
 1. An intermittent data recording device for recording intermittent data on a tape recording medium comprising: first recording means for recording input information including intermittent data which is to be recorded on the tape recording medium on only a single predetermined recording medium; second recording means for recording the intermittent data included in the input information on a tape recording medium; and control means for controlling the first recording means and the second recording means to transfer the intermittent data included in a predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium from the single predetermined recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat while continuing recording of the input information onto the single predetermined recording medium when the input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium reaches the predetermined amount.
 2. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 1 wherein the input information is inputted to the device intermittently.
 3. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 1 wherein the input information is continuously inputted to the device while being made to be intermittent data in the device.
 4. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 1 wherein the input information is continuously inputted to the device while being made to be intermittent data when being transferred to the tape recording medium.
 5. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 1 further comprising compressing means for compressing the input information and giving it to the first recording means.
 6. An intermittent data recording device for recording intermittent data on a tape recording medium comprising: first recording means for recording input information including intermittent data which is to be recorded on the tape recording medium on a first recording medium; second recording means for recording the intermittent data included in the input information recorded on the first recording medium on a second recording medium; third recording means for recording the intermittent data recorded on the second recording medium on the tape recording medium; and control means for controlling the first recording means, the second recording means and the third recording means to transfer the intermittent data included in a first predetermined amount of input information recorded on the first recording medium from the first recording medium to the second recording medium to be recorded thereat while continuing recording of the input information onto the first recording medium when the input information recorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predetermined amount, and to transfer the second predetermined amount of the intermittent data recorded on the second recording medium from the second recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat when the intermittent data recorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.
 7. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 6 wherein the input information is inputted to the device intermittently.
 8. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 6 wherein the input information is continuously inputted to the device while being made to be intermittent data in the device.
 9. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 6 wherein the input information is continuously inputted to the device, while being made to be intermittent data when being transferred to the second recording medium.
 10. An intermittent data recording device according to claim 6 further comprising compressing means for compressing the input information and giving it to the first recording means.
 11. An intermittent data recording control device for controlling recording of intermittent data on a tape recording medium by a tape recording device comprising: input information recording means for recording input information including intermittent data which is to be recorded on the tape recording medium on a single predetermined recording medium; and control means for controlling the input information recording means and the tape recording device to record the input information on the single predetermined recording medium, and to transfer the intermittent data included in the predetermined amount of input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium to be recorded on the tape recording medium while continuing recording of the input information on to the single predetermined recording medium when the input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium reaches a predetermined amount.
 12. An intermittent data recording control device for controlling recording of intermittent data on a tape recording medium by a tape recording device comprising: first recording means for recording input information including intermittent data, which is to be recorded on the tape recording medium, on only a first recording medium; second recording means for recording the intermittent data included in the input information recorded on the first recording medium on a second recording medium; and control means for controlling the first recording means, the second recording means and the tape recording device to transfer the intermittent data included in a first predetermined amount of input information recorded on the first recording medium from the first recording medium to the second recording medium to be recorded thereat while continuing recording of the input information onto the first recording medium when the input information recorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predetermined amount, and to transfer the second predetermined amount of the intermittent data recorded on the second recording medium from the second recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat when the intermittent data recorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.
 13. A method of recording intermittent data for recording intermittent data on a tape recording medium wherein: input information including intermittent data which is to be recorded on the predetermined tape recording medium is recorded on only a single predetermined recording medium; and the intermittent data included in a predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium is transferred from the predetermined recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat while recording of the input information onto the single predetermined recording medium is continued when the input information recorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches a predetermined amount.
 14. A method of recording intermittent data for recording intermittent data on a tape recording medium wherein: input information including intermittent data, which is to be recorded on the predetermined tape recording medium, is recorded on only a first recording medium; the-intermittent data included in a first predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the first recording medium is transferred from the first recording medium to a second recording medium to be recorded thereat while recording of the input information onto the first recording medium is continued when the input information recorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predetermined amount; and the intermittent data included in a second predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the second recording medium is transferred from the second recording medium to a tape recording medium to be recorded thereat, when the input information recorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predetermined amount.
 15. A method of controlling recording of intermittent data on a tape recording medium by a tape recording device wherein: input information including intermittent data, which is to be recorded on the predetermined tape recording medium, is recorded on only a single predetermined recording medium; and the intermittent data included in a first predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the single predetermined recording medium is transferred from the predetermined recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat while recording of the input information onto the single predetermined recording medium is continued when the input information recorded on the predetermined recording medium reaches a predetermined amount.
 16. A method of controlling recording of intermittent data for recording intermittent data on a tape recording medium by a tape recording device wherein; input information including intermittent data, which is to be recorded on the predetermined tape recording medium, is recorded on only a first recording medium; the intermittent data included in a first predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the first recording medium is transferred from the first recording medium to a second recording medium to be recorded thereat while recording of the input information onto the first recording medium is continued when the input information recorded on the first recording medium reaches the first predetermined amount; and the intermittent data included in a second predetermined amount of the input information recorded on the second recording medium is transferred from the second recording medium to the tape recording medium to be recorded thereat, when the input information recorded on the second recording medium reaches the second predetermined amount. 